Nail polish removal system

ABSTRACT

A nail polish removal system having multiple pads that are impregnated with a nail polish removing solvent and held within a container. The pads of the nail polish removal system are optimally dimensioned to retain an effective amount of solvent so that one individual pad can remove the nail polish from up to 10 fingers or 10 toes without the creation of droplets or spillage of excess solvent. Further, the material of the pads is soft and pliable, which contributes to the ease and comfort of their use.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to Provisional Application Serial No. 60/347,193 filed Jan. 9, 2002.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

[0003] Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention relates generally to nail polish remover systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved means for removing nail polish from the nails of users including pads that are impregnated with a liquid solvent.

[0005] The traditional method for removing nail polish includes wetting a small piece of absorbent material such as cotton with a liquid solvent and applying the wetted material to the nails. The solvent is either poured from a bottle or, when the absorbent material is attached to a small stick, the material is dipped into the solvent. This method is disadvantageous in that the amount of solvent taken from the bottle cannot be accurately controlled. The amount of solvent is generally too much or too little depending on how much nail polish is to be removed. Frequently, excess solvent from the absorbent materials will spill potentially causing damage to surrounding areas. Another disadvantage relates to the absorbent material itself. In the case that cotton balls are used as the absorbers, filaments of cotton typically become attached to the nails, which may subsequently hinder smooth nail polishing and require additional labor to achieve clean or neat nails.

[0006] Another traditional method for removing nail polishing includes providing a sponge that is impregnated with solvent and held within a container. The sponge includes a hole or slit into which a finger fits. The user simply inserts the finger into the hole or slit and rotates or oscillates the finger to remove the nail polish onto the sponge. Among other disadvantages, this method is difficult, if not impossible to employ when the nail polish to be removed is located on the toes of the user. Further, upon using the sponge a few times, the sponge retains the coloring of the nail polish and tends to transfer this color back onto the fingers of the users. Finally, the entire finger tip becomes surrounded by nail polish remover solvent, which may cause the skin surrounding the nail of the finger or toe to become dry or damaged.

[0007] A third method for removing nail polish includes the use of individual packets containing pads of absorbent material that are impregnated with solvent. Again, this method is disadvantageous as the pads are often overly saturated with solvent and therefore are messy to use. Further, the type of material used for these pads, such as felt, includes lint, which can become attached to the nails.

[0008] Accordingly, there remains a need for an improved nail polish removal system that does not have the limitations and shortcomings of the above described methods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] According to its major aspects and briefly recited, the present invention is a system for removing nail polish from the nails of users. The nail polish remover system includes pads that are made of a material that is capable of absorbing and that are impregnated with nail polish remover solvent. Within the context of the present invention, solvent refers to either an acetone-based or non-acetone based liquid that is effective at dissolving nail polish. The pads of the nail polish removal system are optimally dimensioned to retain an effective amount of solvent so that one individual pad can remove the nail polish from at least 5 fingers or 5 toes and as many as 10 fingers or 10 toes. Although the pads can retain sufficient solvent to produce this result, the amount of solvent with which the pads are impregnated is controlled so that excess solvent does not create droplets or spillage from the pads. Further, the material of the pads is soft and pliable, which contributes to the ease and comfort of their use.

[0010] The pads of the nail polish removal system are stored within a container until needed by a user for nail polish removing. The container is dimensioned to receive the pads, and preferably has a wide opening that is at least equal to the outer dimensions of the pads. This wide opening increases the ease of the user in removing the pads from the container. The container is closed by a cover which screws onto threads formed on the outer surface of the container.

[0011] A feature of the present invention is made of soft, pliable material, so that the user of the pads can more effectively remove nail polish. Preferably, the pads are made of a spunlaced fabric, which is a nonwoven fabric produced by entangling fibers in a repeating pattern to form a strong fabric free of binders or fibers that can act as an adhesive. Therefore, in contrast to the use of cotton, which is very fibrous, the use of spunlaced fabric avoids fibers or filaments from becoming attached to the nails during the nail polish removal process, which can thereafter hinder smooth polishing and/or require additional labor to achieve clean nails. Furthermore, the spunlaced fabric is soft and pliable. These features enhance the nail polish removal process because the user can more easily manipulate the pads to effectively and accurately remove the nail polish.

[0012] The use of pads having particular dimensions that contribute to the ease of nail polish removal is another feature of the present invention. The pads are preferably disk-shaped having a diameter of approximately 7.5 centimeters and a thickness less than 1 millimeter. Because the pads are so thin, a user can easily manipulate the pads onto the nail for effective removal of nail polish. However, the pads have enough surface area to be able to contain sufficient amounts of nail polish removal solvent to clean up to 10 nails at one time.

[0013] Yet another feature of the present invention is the use of a container in combination with the pads. The container can hold between 20 to 100 pads at one time. As previously discussed, the container has a wide opening that is greater than the outer dimensions of the pads. This wide opening increases the ease of the user in removing the pads from the container. Further, the container is made of a durable plastic material that, when sealed, prevents the evaporation or escape of the nail polish removal solvent. Accordingly, the pads remain impregnated with the solvent throughout their placement within the container.

[0014] Other advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a careful reading of the Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment presented below and accompanied by the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] In the drawings,

[0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a nail polish removal system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the nail polish removal system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] is a perspective view of the pads of the nail polish removal system in use according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0019] The present invention is generally a nail polish removal system 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The system 10 includes multiple pads 12 that are stored within a container 14. Pads 12 are impregnated with either an acetone-based or non-acetone based solvent that is effective at dissolving nail polish. Depending on what types of nails are put in contact with the pads 12, such as natural or synthetic nails, the type of solvent to be applied is significant. Although other solvent formulations are contemplated by the present invention, the solvent formulation of the preferred embodiment is preferably a mixture of methylacetyl, dimethylketal, and deionized water. A feature of the present invention is the use of an effective amount of solvent in combination with pads 12 to achieve removal of nail polish from up to 10 nails per pad. However, the amount of solvent with which pads 12 are impregnated is controlled so that excess solvent does not create droplets or spillage from pads 12.

[0020] As illustrated, pads 12 of system 10 are circular and they preferably have a diameter of at least 7.5 centimeters. The thickness of pads 12 is preferably less than 1 millimeter. Although other types of fabrics or materials are contemplated, pads 12 are preferably made of spunlaced fabric. However, other textile materials can be employed as long as the material contains minimal extruding fibers. Container 14 of the system 10 has a squat, cylindrical shape with a sidewall 20, a closed bottom 16, and an open top 18. A cover 22 that screws onto threads 24 formed on sidewall 20 of container 14 is used to close top 18 of container 14. Because container 14 of the system is dimensioned to receive multiple pads 12, the diameter of container 14 is preferably greater than the diameter of pads 14, and, most preferably, greater than 7.5 centimeters. Preferably, container 14 is made of a durable plastic such as polyproylene. However, other types of plastics are contemplated by the present invention.

[0021] A particular feature of the present invention is the use of container 14 in combination with pads 12. Traditional methods employing the use of pads impregnated with nail polish removal solvent typically include the use of individual packets. Not only does the use of individual packets generate unnecessary waste, but the pads within the packets are often overly saturated with solvent and are therefore messy to use. Container 14 of the present invention can hold between 20 to 100 pads 12 at one time. Further, container 14 has a wide opening that is greater than the outer dimensions of pads 12. This wide opening increases the ease of the user in removing the pads from the container. Finally, because container 14 is made of a durable plastic material that, when sealed, prevents the evaporation or escape of the nail polish removal solvent, pads 14 remain impregnated with the solvent throughout their placement within the container.

[0022]FIG. 3 illustrates pads 12 of the present invention in use. As shown, pads 12 are brushed over the nails of user so as to bring the nails in contact with the solvent that is impregnated in pads 12. This motion is repeated until the nail polish has been removed from the nails and transferred onto pads 12.

[0023] As previously stated, the dimensions of pads 12, as well as the construction of pads 12, are particular features of the present invention. A traditional and commonly used method for removing nail polish includes the use of cotton balls. A problem associated with the use of cotton balls, is that cotton fibers tend to adhere to the nail during the removal process. The spunlaced fabric of pads 12 is not a very fibrous material, in contrast to cotton. Therefore, the use of spunlaced fabric avoids fibers or filaments from becoming attached to the nails during the nail polish removal process, which can thereafter hinder smooth polishing and/or require additional labor to achieve clean nails. Furthermore, the spunlaced fabric is soft and pliable. These features enhance the nail polish removal process because the user can more easily manipulate the pads to effectively and accurately remove the nail polish.

[0024] The dimensions of pads 12 are also advantageous. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the user can easily cover the entire nail to achieve maximum contact between the impregnated solvent and the nail. Further, because of the thinness of pads 14, a user can readily manipulate pads 12 over the contours of the nail for effective removal of nail polish. Finally, pads 12 of the nail polish removal system 10 are optimally dimensioned to retain an effective amount of solvent so that one pad can remove the nail polish from at least 5 fingers or 5 toes and as many as 10 fingers or 10 toes.

[0025] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art of nail polish removal systems that many modifications and substitutions can be made to the preferred embodiment described above without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A nail polish removal system, comprising: a pad that is impregnated with solvent, said pad being made of spunlaced fabric.
 2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said solvent is a mixture of methylacetyl, dimethylketal, and deionized water.
 3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said pad is disk-shaped having a diameter of at least 7.5 centimeters.
 4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said pad has a thickness of less than 1 millimeter.
 5. A nail polish removal system, comprising: a container; and multiple pads that are impregnated with solvent and held within said container.
 6. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein said container is made of polypropylene.
 7. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein said multiple pads are made of spunlaced fabric.
 8. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein said multiple pads are circular having a diameter that is at least 7.5 centimeters.
 9. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein said multiple pads have a thickness that is less than 1 millimeter.
 10. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein said solvent is a mixture of methylacetyl, dimethylketal, and deionized water.
 11. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein said multiple pads are impregnated with said solvent in an amount that is sufficient to remove nail polish from up to 10 nails without solvent spillage or the formation of solvent droplets on said multiple pads.
 12. A nail polish removal system, comprising: a cylindrical shaped container having a cover; and circular pads that are impregnated with solvent in an amount that is sufficient to remove nail polish from up to 10 nails without solvent spillage or the formation of solvent droplets on said circular pads, said circular pads being held within said container.
 13. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein said container has a diameter that is greater than 7.5 centimeters.
 14. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein said circular pads have a diameter that is at least 7.5 centimeters.
 15. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein said circular pads have a thickness that is less than 1 millimeter.
 16. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein said solvent is a mixture of methylacetyl, dimethylketal, and deionized water.
 17. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein said circular pads are made of spunlaced fabric.
 18. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein said container and said cover are made of polypropylene.
 19. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein said container has the capacity to hold between 20 and 100 said circular pads. 